Where you been?
I gave the sister a call because she’d been absent on Sunday, and I’d missed her before that.
“I’m just calling to make sure you’re okay and not ill.” (And I want to encourage you in your walk with God…)
“Well, I just changed my medication and am having trouble getting used to it.”
“So it’s making it difficult to get out in the mornings?” (So your sickness IS keeping you home…)
“No, not really. I’ve decided to give myself my own religious education now. I stayed home on Sunday and watched a show about Armenian Christians and how they live their faith. Had I gone to church, I would have missed it.”
“Well, they’ve got these really neat machines now that record TV programs so you can watch them later. If you want, I’ll record next-week’s show so you can come to church.” (I really want to know why you’d choose a TV show over flesh-and-blood communion, 5 minutes away.)
“Actually, I’ve decided to come for worship every other week. I’ve already done the accounting for 2005 and 2006. I’d still be coming more than anyone else at church. I’ve already checked.”
“Sister, I’m having trouble believing the Spirit of God is leading you in this. What do you think?” (That’s what I meant.)
“I don’t see where my Bible says I’m obligated to take communion every Sunday.”
“Sure, sister, but is the Spirit leading this decision? Listen, I’m glad you’re not ill…”
Years ago, Eugene Peterson wrote that talking parishioners into coming to church was a losing situation. All you can do is ask them about it and pray. Yancey’s last book says, “I believe that life with God should seem more like friendship than duty.” I believe the same thing about communion within the family. So I’ll pray about it.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
I remember going through that “nothing says I HAVE to go” phase. And so I didn’t. Felt pretty good about that extra day of sleeping in too. Until I woke up one morning and realized I hadn’t had a spiritual thought in weeks. Maybe months.
I need other people. To love. To keep me accountable. To get perspective. To see Christ in.
October 18th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
I like Yancy’s “friendship with God” comment. To make a friend you do have to spend time with them so I guess that would include our time with God.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:55 pm
I, too, have given up on trying to talk people who claim to be blood kin to Jesus into fellowship with the rest of the family. It’s frustrating and has a very low rate of success, if any at all. Because even when they do “come back” it’s not that their heart is in it. Yancey’s comment is good.
October 19th, 2006 at 3:15 am
I heard recently that Charles Spurgeon grew blind at the end of his life. The only way he got to ingest God’s Word was when others read it to him. However, he always wanted his Bible next to his bed so that he could reach over and just pat it. It was his dear friend. Oh, for Jesus to be so precious to us and for us to know His Word so intimately that we are comforted by the mere presence of His Word at our side.